Hitlers Foreign policy part 1 Flashcards
(16 cards)
What were Hitler’s aims regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
- Overturn the Treaty of Versailles.
- Rebuild German military strength.
- Reclaim lost territory (e.g., Saar, Rhineland, Danzig).
- Unite all German-speaking people under one Reich.
What does Lebensraum mean and what were its aims?
- Lebensraum (‘Living Space’).
- Expand eastward into Poland and the Soviet Union.
- Remove Slavic peoples to make space for Germans.
What was Hitler’s view on Communism?
- Destroy Communism.
- Hitler viewed the USSR and communism as threats.
- Wanted to eliminate Soviet influence in Europe.
What was the goal of Anschluss with Austria?
- Anschluss with Austria.
- Unite Germany and Austria into a Greater Germany.
- Achieved in 1938.
What was the impact of the reoccupation of the Rhineland?
Reoccupation of the Rhineland (1936) violated the Treaty of Versailles; France and Britain did not react, encouraging Hitler to be more aggressive.
What was the significance of the Anschluss with Austria?
Anschluss with Austria (1938) broke Treaty terms; Germany’s territory and power increased with little opposition from Britain/France.
What happened during the Sudetenland Crisis?
Sudetenland Crisis (Sept 1938) gained territory from Czechoslovakia via the Munich Agreement; Britain used appeasement.
What was the outcome of the occupation of Czechoslovakia?
Occupation of Czechoslovakia (March 1939) had no excuse of uniting Germans and proved Hitler was pursuing expansion.
What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
Nazi-Soviet Pact (August 1939) was a non-aggression deal with the USSR that secretly divided Poland, removing the fear of a two-front war for Hitler.
What triggered the start of WWII?
Invasion of Poland (1 Sept 1939) was the immediate cause of WWII, leading Britain and France to declare war on Germany two days later (3 Sept).
How did Hitler’s foreign policy lead to war?
Hitler broke international agreements (Versailles, Locarno), used deceit (e.g., Munich Agreement), militarised Germany, created tension in Europe, and made diplomatic moves like the Nazi-Soviet Pact.
What role did appeasement play in the lead-up to WWII?
Appeasement allowed Hitler to break treaties without serious consequences, giving him confidence that the Allies would not intervene.
What was the failure of the League of Nations?
The League of Nations could not stop aggression (e.g., Japan in Manchuria, Italy in Abyssinia) and lacked an army; major powers like the USA were not members.
How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to WWII?
The Treaty of Versailles left Germany humiliated and economically weak, creating resentment and a desire for revenge that helped Hitler rise to power.
What impact did the Great Depression have on Europe?
The Great Depression caused instability and extreme politics across Europe, making countries more focused on internal problems and less likely to resist aggression.
How far was Hitler to blame for WWII?
Hitler’s foreign policy was the key trigger for war, especially with the invasion of Poland. His actions were aggressive and violated multiple agreements. However, appeasement, the Treaty of Versailles, and the failure of the League of Nations facilitated his actions.
